Article of manufacture for centering reinforcing steel in reinforced masonry walls

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding in the proper position and location reinforcing steel in the center of a grouted concrete masonry unit cell. A means for safely and easily positioning rebar in in masonry walls.  
     an embodiment which is manufactured from plastic or metal wire has a square upper section in close size to the concrete masonry unit cell, a cone shaped lower section with four vertical rods that meet in the center to a circular area in which positions the reinforcing steel therefore centering the reinforcing bar to meet the minimum code and design requirements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of reinforcedmasonry, and more particularly to an article of manufacture forcentering reinforcing steel in reinforced masonry walls.

[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of reinforcedmasonry wall construction, and more particularly an apparatus forholding centered the reinforcing steel in these walls in order to allowthe reinforced masonry wall to function as designed.

[0003] Reinforced masonry walls are designed to resist lateral loadsfrom one or either sides of the wall. Masonry is strong in compressionbut weak in tension and steel which is strong in tension is placed inthe center of the concrete masonry unit cell which, comprises the wallthen filled with grout a mixture of cement, sand and sometimes aggregatewhich bonds the steel to the masonry. When there are lateral loadsplaced on the wall of the masonry, the masonry on the outer portion willbe in compression and the steel which is in the center of the groutedcell will be in tension.

[0004] Reinforced masonry performs well because the materials, steelmasonry, grout and mortar work together as a single structural unit.Reinforced masonry has high dampening and energy absorptioncharacteristics. The reinforcing steel improves the ductability andtoughness of the masonry system and holds a building together throughthe continuity of the connection between the elements.

[0005] Reinforced masonry materials works together as a unit because thereinforcing steel is locked into the masonry system in such a way as tobeing capable of being stressed. There are minimum code requirementswhich allows a maximum deviation from the center of the grouted corecell of not more that one half inch for wall eight inches or less inwidth and one inch for walls up to two feet in width. This apparatusenables one to quickly, safely and accurately place the reinforcingsteel in its intended position and location.

[0006] Rebar positioners are important to the engineer who designs thereinforced masonry walls and to the contractor who constructs thesewalls. From the engineers viewpoint accurate location and placement ofthe reinforcing steel is necessary in order for the the walls to performas designed.

[0007] From the contractors viewpoint it is important because itprovides a cost effect means of accurate, safe and expedited placementin order for them to meet building codes and engineering specifications.

[0008] There are other reinforcing positioners which are placed in thewall as it is being built so the reinforcing steel would have to bethreaded down inside the cell of the concrete masonry unit through therebar positioners installed between the masonry units. Other than thesedevices one would have to try to somehow wire the reinforcing steel intoplace so it can be held against displacement when the concrete masonryunit is being fill with grout and it is being consolidated which is timeconsuming, inaccurate and not always guaranteed to work, which resultsin a costly way of performing this task. They would not be as suitablefor the tasks as is the present invention as heretofore described.

[0009] The deficiencies in the prior technologies is that thesereinforcing positioners would have to be placed in the wall as it isbeing constructed because it needs to be between two concrete masonryunits to hold it in place to work. The placement of these positionersmust also be very well aligned so when the reinforcing steel is placedthrough the positioners they are fairly aligned. Another drawback isthat as the wall is being constructed there is excess mortar that fallsdown as the concrete masonry units are laid so the mortar must becleaned from in and around the positioners without damage, to keep themclear to receive the reinforcing later. These positioners are usuallylocated close the bottom center and top of the wall.

[0010] After the above mentioned steps are done the reinforcing steelmust now be threaded down the concrete masonry unit cell through thesepositioners which as is common the wall could be very tall and thereforeadd a safety liability to the person placing the reinforcing and thoseworking in the immediate area.

[0011] The new apparatus which I propose would only need one unit to beplaced at the top of the wall in the last course of the concrete masonryunits after the reinforcing steel is placed so the cell is open withoutthe need to try to thread a long and heavy bar down the cell of themasonry units. This method of only one unit would still be in complianceof the building code and requirements for the majority of reinforcedmasonry walls. The design will also allow for the positioner to beplaced over or slipped around the protruding reinforcing steel therebyallowing for safe, accurate and speedy placement of the reinforcement.

[0012] The proposed invention also does not rely upon being placedbetween two concrete masonry units to hold it into place but rather ituses the inner wall of a single cell of the masonry unit to hold itselfin place and thereby centering the reinforcing steel. This apparatus canbe manufactured from wire or plastic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A primary object of this invention is to provide an apparatus andmethod for positioning reinforcing steel in reinforced masonryconstruction that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices.

[0014] A related object of the present invention is to quickly, safely,accurately and economically position reinforcing steel in reinforcedmasonry walls.

[0015] An additional object of this invention is to provide areinforcing steel positioner that is economical in cost to manufacture.

[0016] A further object of this invention is to easily facilitate theplacement of reinforcing steel in reinforced masonry walls that meetsminimum building codes and engineering specifications.

[0017] Another object of this invention is to provide a reinforcingpositioner that is simple and easy to use.

[0018] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, anapparatus for positioning reinforcing steel in reinforced masonry wallsthat comprises a square upper half that fits into the cell of theconcrete masonry unit, a cone shaped lower half that has four legs thatmeet in the center to a center circular ring, and has on the outer edgesof the square upper half wedge shaped tabs that secures the device inthe cell of the concrete masonry units. A means for quickly, safely andaccurately positioning the reinforcing steel in its specified location.

[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0020] An article of manufacture for centering reinforcing steel inreinforced masonry walls. An apparatus for centering reinforcing rebarin masonry wythe walls. (2) A means for holding the reinforcing barcentered in the masonry wall grouted cell against displacement. (3) Ameans for holding the vertical reinforcing steel easily, safely andmeeting the minimum building code requirements. (4) An apparatus forcentering reinforcing steel in reinforced masonry walls wherein thereinforcing can be of different sizes and multiple bars per groutedconcrete masonry unit cell.

[0021] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of an apparatus for positioningreinforcing in the center of a concrete masonry unit.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the apparatus showing theparallel direction in which it is placed inside the concrete masonryunit.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the invention.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing theperpendicular direction to the concrete masonry unit with the tabs thatholds the apparatus in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are providedherein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention maybe embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed system, structure or manner.

[0028] While the invention has been described in connection with apreferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it isintended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents asmay be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of manufacture for centeringreinforcing steel in reinforced masonry walls. An apparatus forcentering reinforcing rebar in masonry wythe walls. (2) A means forholding the reinforcing bar centered in the masonry wall grouted cellagainst displacement. (3) A means for holding the vertical reinforcingsteel easily, safely and meeting the minimum building code requirements.(4) An apparatus for centering reinforcing steel in reinforced masonrywalls wherein the reinforcing can be of different sizes and multiplebars per grouted concrete masonry unit cell.